FETHİYE/TURKEY

Fethiye Town Centre Fethiye Museum Boat Trips to Blue Lagoon Fethiye in History Coves between Fethiye-Göcek Beaches Boat Trips to Coves and Islands Coves and Beaches Göcek New Marina in Göcek Kayaköy - Hisarönü - Ovacık Ölüdeniz Paragliding on Babadağ Butterfly Valley Saklıkent(the Hidden City) Tlos and Yakapark Eşen Çayı'nda Kano History betwwen Fethiye and Kalkan Fethiye Guide Fethiye in History In the ancient times on the site of modern Fethiye used to stand the city of Telmessos. The city was one of the most important of the Lycian region, being on the western border of Lycia. The west of the ancient city was the Carian region. It is believed that Telmossos was founded in the 5th century BC, though here is no concrete information on the exact date. According to the legend the city was founded by the God of the Sun, Apollon. Apollon fell in love with the youngest daughter of Agenor, the King of Finike. In order to approach the shy girl he transformed himself into the shape of a cute dog. They got married. They had a son and named him Telmessos. Apollon gave his son’s name to the city he founded. Even if the Lycian god Apollon did found the city, all Lycian and Carian cities didn’t last long, coming under the rule of the Persians in 547 BC as associated satraps of the kingdom. In the middle of the 5th century BC Telmessos joined the Attik-Delos union. In the winter of 344-343 BC it surrendered to the army of Alexander the Great. In 189 BC became part of the Kingdom of Bergama. After Bergama fell to the Romans in 133 BC it joined the Lycian Federation and became one of the most important of the six cities of the union. In the 8th Century Telmessos was renamed as Anastasiapolis in honour of Byzantine Emperor Anastasios II. In 1284 captured by the Turkish Menteşeoğulları and 1424 became a part of the Ottoman Empire, becoming known as Meğri. Its present name was given in 1934 in memorial of a Turkish pilot Fethi Bey, who was killed in an airplane accident a few years ago. The Town Tour FETHİYE If all places and all seas were known by a colour, Fethiye’s colour would be turquoise. The word turquoise, a blue that has more than a hint of green, comes from the blue used in the Turkish tile work. The most beautiful shade of the colour blue came and settled on the waters of the Ölüdeniz (Dead Sea). Towards evening, around sunset, you catch such a wonderful turquoise you can never see on any other seas. If you call it blue you are wrong, if you say it is green it is not that either but both together. It is difficult to put it into words. It is best if you go and see it for yourself and be hit by a lightening bolt! Once you get to Fethiye and check into you accommodation, get out and see the bazaar. Once you visit the town’s pleasant bazaar you feel as if everything has been planned and preserved for you, with its narrow and shady streets and tiny squares. You will forget about being a foreigner and feel as if you have lived here for years. However, once it is the evening the colour and nature of the market will suddenly change. It is now the time for the restaurants and bars. The fish start sizzling on the grill and the aniseed scent of Turkey’s national drink, rakı, can be smelled. The heat of the day is left behind and the coolness of the evening settles in. It is not easy to visit the region surrounding Fethiye in just a few days. Here are all you will need and want for a holiday. History, culture, nature, beaches, aqua sports, the best paragliding in Turkey, the most impressive historical sites, best coves, cuisine and shopping. The number of places that you can get such full on holiday and enjoy it other than Fethiye itself are rare. This is why it is difficult to fit Fethiye into just a few pages. Let us begin our trip. The Town Tour In ancient times Telmessos was famed as the city of the oracles. The ancient city was founded on a large area of land, running from the foothills of the mountains that are the backdrop for modern Fethiye and all the way down to the gulf. You can see the remains of the city today. Once you look above, you will see the tomb of King Amyntas. The tomb is in the Ionic style and in shape of a temple. In its front you can see two columns, on the centre of the left hand column is written "Son of Hermapias Amyntas". Inside there are three stone benches. Inside and around the town you will come across many tombs carved into the rocks and other types. The most important one is the monumental Lycian tomb next to the Post Office (PTT) that is covered with reliefs of warriors. On the hill that rises to the south of the town there are the ruins of a castle that is believed to have been built by the Knights of St. John on the site of the Telmessos acropolis. The castle was later used by the Ottomans. Those who climb up the hill will see the remains of the castle, cisterns and a small cemetery of rock-cut tombs on the east of the hill. The Telmessos theatre was unearthed after the excavations above the port. The theatre, with a capacity of 5,000 people, was built in the Early Roman era and restored in the 2nd century AD, later being used as an arena in the Byzantine era. In its present condition the theatre can seat 1,500 people and restoration work is underway. Among the Ottoman era buildings in Fethiye, there is the Eski Cami (Old Mosque), built in 1791, and the Fethiye Hamamı (Turkish Bath). Both are in the Paspatur Çarşısı (Bazaar). The 14 domed, six arched bath is still in use. The Fethiye Martyrs Memorial was opened in 2001 and commemorates those lost their lives in the Independence War, the Çanakkale War (Gallipoli Campaign) and the Korean War. The reliefs that surround the memorial depict soldiers killed in the wars. Daily boat tours to Ölüdeniz Some of the cruising boats, after the stop at Şövalye Island, instead of heading in the direction of Göcek sail for Ölüdeniz, stopping at the coves and islands on the way. You pass by Şahin (Eagle) and İblis (Devil) Capes and then come to Gemile Island. Here,those who want can go to the beaches and coves of the island, before re-embarking and continuing to Ölüdeniz, Belceğiz Beach and Kıdırak Beach and then as far as Kelebekler Vadisi (The Butterfly Valley). The sea on this route can be a bit rougher than on the Göcek side and make some people feel a touch queasy. Gemile Adası: Gemile Island is just opposite Gemile Cove and beach. The former name of the island was St. Nicholas. On the island there are the remains of churches dated to the Early Christian era and the Byzantine period. The frescoes of the large churches are in good condition. On the seaside there are the ruins of cisterns. The most interesting historical relic is the tunnel that links the two churches to each other. Some parts of the 500-metre long tunnel have collapsed. There are 17 stops in the staircase inside the tunnel. These are to represent the 17 points at which Christ halted while he was being taken to be crucified. As a result of an earthquake in 240-241 AD some of the ruins have slipped beneath the sea, lying at two metres depth. In the summer months the tree-covered Gemile Cove and beach, being well sheltered, is frequented not only by boats but also by picnickers who come through Fethiye-Hisarönü-Kayaköy. The cove is four kilometres from Kayaköy, and you can get to Gemile Cove from there on foot. This is also on a stopping point of one of the trekking trails. Around Gemile there are also other locations to visit. These include, Beştaşlar, Soğuksu – where there is a fresh water spring going out into the sea - Kısık Cove and Afkule to the west of Kısık. You may not be able to do it all in one day. We are not overstating the case when we say that days and weeks will not be enough for Fethiye. For information on Ölüdeniz and Kelebekler Vadisi (the Butterfly Valley) see Ölüdeniz pages.) Coves between Fethiye and Göcek On the Fethiye-Göcek road there are lots of coves and beaches. Even if you can get there by boat it is easier to travel by road. These are the places where local and foreign campers and caravan owners like to stay. In summer it gets hordes of people from nearby areas, coming to picnic or swim, especially on the weekends. One of the best known is Katrancı Cove, 17 kilometres from Fethiye. Katrancı is a piece of heaven. It is hidden behind red pine, eucalyptus and Cyprus acacia trees. Between May and October you can set up a tent, have access to power, water and meet your needs from nearby buffets and cafeterias. In summer there are regular minibuses running from Fethiye to Katrancı. Those who get bored with the crowds can take a path along the seaside and climb over the hill to another cove, Kızlar. This cove, surrounded by pine trees on three sides, is very quiet. The open restaurant-bar on the top of the hill has a scenic view over all over the cove and is quite popular. Günlüklü Cove, 19 kilometres from Fethiye and 2 kilometres from Katrancı, is another wonder of nature. You can get to the cove, which is one kilometre off the main Fethiye-Göcek road, by minibuses that run regularly from Fethiye. You can set up tents under the surrounding trees, also known as Günlük (liquid amber orientalis)trees. Another small cove that lies between Fethiye and Göcek is Kargı. This cove is quite and cool and also covered with Günlük trees. Boat tours to the region From the quay there are tours departing to the coves and islands in the vicinity. If you wish you can join one of the daily tours or you can hire a boat. We have given detailed information on the coves and islands in the Fethiye section and also on the visiting points of boats leaving from Göcek. However, it is worth again mentioning the coves and islands in the vicinity of Göcek. Yassıca Adalar: This group of islands are so small that no one could came up with names for each of them. They are together known as Yassıcalar. There are no facilities on the islands. On the largest island of the group the beach is near the point and forms a small pool, excellent for children. One is able to swim between the different islets, the closest being just 12 metres distance. If you can swim for half an hour, you can visit four different islands and, if you have shoes with you, you can walk over on each of them. Zeytin Ada: Olive Island is at the south end of the Yassıcalar group island. It is the only island that is privately owned. There is also an olive pressing workshop dating from the Ottoman era on the island. Tersane Adası: It is the largest island on the gulf. On the island there are the remains of old Greek houses emptied during the 1922-23 population exchange. On your trip you come across a monitoring tower and a shipyard, a tersane in Turkish, after which the island is named. Sailors call the two coves "summer" and "winter", both of which are popular stopping points for daily boat tours and the Blue Cruise. Domuz Adası: It is believed that it has taken its name form the wild boars living on that island once upon a time. The island is also called Prince Island referring to a prince living on here. Boats can easily anchor and moor in the cove of the island as it is sheltered from the winds. Cleopatra Koyu: Also known as Hamam (Bath) Cove, this island is one of the coves that the boats and yachts on the Blue Cruise cannot pass without visiting. The Blue Cruisers love to spend the night here, while the daily boat trips generally have a lunch stop. Right next to the quay you will see the ruins of a monastery, which is partly under water. You may enjoy having a pleasant walk on the shore and in the forest if you get off the boat. There are restaurants that serve food on the waterside. If you feel up to it , you can walk up from Yavansu for about half an hour, and visit the ruins of the ancient city of Lydae. To the north west of Tersane Island, there is Taşyaka Cove, also known as Bedri Rahmi Cove for the picture of a fish painted by the famous Turkish artist and poet Bedri Rahmi Eyüboğlu. In this cove there are makeshift restaurants and wooden quays for boats to moor at and rock tombs up the hills overlooking the cove. Göbün Koyu: Göbün Cove is to the south of Domuz Island. It has a very narrow entrance, and is a long cove surrounded with pine and olive trees. Those who go ashore at the end point of the cove will come across ancient ruins and tombs. Even though its not being on the route of the daily trip boats, it is a much loved stopping point for boats and yachts on the Blue Cruise. Coves between Fethiye and Göcek On the Fethiye-Göcek road there are lots of coves and beaches. Even if you can get there by boat it is easier to travel by road. These are the places where local and foreign campers and caravan owners like to stay. In summer it gets hordes of people from nearby areas, coming to picnic or swim, especially on the weekends. One of the best known is Katrancı Cove, 17 kilometres from Fethiye. Katrancı is a piece of heaven. It is hidden behind red pine, eucalyptus and Cyprus acacia trees. Between May and October you can set up a tent, have access to power, water and meet your needs from nearby buffets and cafeterias. In summer there are regular minibuses running from Fethiye to Katrancı. Those who get bored with the crowds can take a path along the seaside and climb over the hill to another cove, Kızlar. This cove, surrounded by pine trees on three sides, is very quiet. The open restaurant-bar on the top of the hill has a scenic view over all over the cove and is quite popular. Günlüklü Cove, 19 kilometres from Fethiye and 2 kilometres from Katrancı, is another wonder of nature. You can get to the cove, which is one kilometre off the main Fethiye-Göcek road, by minibuses that run regularly from Fethiye. You can set up tents under the surrounding trees, also known as Günlük (liquid amber orientalis)trees. Another small cove that lies between Fethiye and Göcek is Kargı. This cove is quite and cool and also covered with Günlük trees. Boat tours to the region From the quay there are tours departing to the coves and islands in the vicinity. If you wish you can join one of the daily tours or you can hire a boat. We have given detailed information on the coves and islands in the Fethiye section and also on the visiting points of boats leaving from Göcek. However, it is worth again mentioning the coves and islands in the vicinity of Göcek. Yassıca Adalar: This group of islands are so small that no one could came up with names for each of them. They are together known as Yassıcalar. There are no facilities on the islands. On the largest island of the group the beach is near the point and forms a small pool, excellent for children. One is able to swim between the different islets, the closest being just 12 metres distance. If you can swim for half an hour, you can visit four different islands and, if you have shoes with you, you can walk over on each of them. Zeytin Ada: Olive Island is at the south end of the Yassıcalar group island. It is the only island that is privately owned. There is also an olive pressing workshop dating from the Ottoman era on the island. Tersane Adası: It is the largest island on the gulf. On the island there are the remains of old Greek houses emptied during the 1922-23 population exchange. On your trip you come across a monitoring tower and a shipyard, a tersane in Turkish, after which the island is named. Sailors call the two coves "summer" and "winter", both of which are popular stopping points for daily boat tours and the Blue Cruise. Domuz Adası: It is believed that it has taken its name form the wild boars living on that island once upon a time. The island is also called Prince Island referring to a prince living on here. Boats can easily anchor and moor in the cove of the island as it is sheltered from the winds. Cleopatra Koyu: Also known as Hamam (Bath) Cove, this island is one of the coves that the boats and yachts on the Blue Cruise cannot pass without visiting. The Blue Cruisers love to spend the night here, while the daily boat trips generally have a lunch stop. Right next to the quay you will see the ruins of a monastery, which is partly under water. You may enjoy having a pleasant walk on the shore and in the forest if you get off the boat. There are restaurants that serve food on the waterside. If you feel up to it , you can walk up from Yavansu for about half an hour, and visit the ruins of the ancient city of Lydae. To the north west of Tersane Island, there is Taşyaka Cove, also known as Bedri Rahmi Cove for the picture of a fish painted by the famous Turkish artist and poet Bedri Rahmi Eyüboğlu. In this cove there are makeshift restaurants and wooden quays for boats to moor at and rock tombs up the hills overlooking the cove. Göbün Koyu: Göbün Cove is to the south of Domuz Island. It has a very narrow entrance, and is a long cove surrounded with pine and olive trees. Those who go ashore at the end point of the cove will come across ancient ruins and tombs. Even though its not being on the route of the daily trip boats, it is a much loved stopping point for boats and yachts on the Blue Cruise. Boat tours to nearby coves and islands There are motor boat tours from the quay to the islands to the west and north-west of Fethiye Peninsula. The boats leave around 10:00-11:00 am and return in the evening at 17.00 or 18.00 pm. There are two very popular routes for the daily boat tours. One is to the 12 Adalar (12 Islands) on the Göcek side of the peninsula and the other is along the Ölüdeniz side. On both routes either the first or last stop is Şövalye Adası (Island of Knights) opposite of Fethiye. In windy weather the boat trip to Ölüdeniz area can rock passengers a bit. However, trips on both routes take in the most beautiful coves and islands of Turkey. On the trip to the 12 Islands you stop at the islands of Kızılada, Delikli Adalar, Yassıca Adaları, Tersane, Domuz Adası and others. Then you have a break at the Cleopatra Hamamı (Bath). You also visit the coves of Bedri Rahmi and Göbün. The last stop is the Şövalye Island. Şövalye Adası: The Knight Island is in the mouth of the Gulf of Fethiye, sited as if protecting the gulf itself. On the island, where the Knights of St John were once based, there are still some settlements, with summerhouses, motels and cafes. It is a stopping point on the return of the trip from the 12 Adalar. There are shared motorboats running continuously from the port to the island. Kızılada: Kızılada (Red Island) was so named as the sand and gravel on the beach take on a reddish hue at sunset. On the island there is no building other than a lighthouse. Since its east side is closed to waves it is suitable for anchoring and swimming. Deliktaş Adası: These are smaller and larger islands to the north west of Kızılada. For those who want to experience diving these islands are good options. Yassıca Adalar: This is a group of 5 islands of different sizes. They are so tiny that no one could come up with names for each of them. They are just grouped all together and called Yassıcalar. There are no facilities on the islands. On the largest island of the group at the end of the beach there is a small pool almost as if especially designed for children to swim. Here you can try the experience of swimming between islands without any concerns. The shortest distance between two islands is just 12 metres. If you can swim for half an hour, you can visit four islands. You can go ashore and walk over the islands, but make sure you have sports shoes with you. Zeytin Ada: The Olive Island is to the south of the Yassıcalar group. It is the only island that is privately owned. There is also an olive oil pressing workshop from the Ottoman era on the island. Tersane (Shipyard) Adası: It is the largest island on the gulf. On the island there are the remains of old Greek houses evacuated after the population exchange in 1922-23. On your trip you come across a monitoring tower and a shipyard which gave the island its name. There are two coves that seaman call "Summer" and "Winter" which are popular stopping point of the daily boat tours and the Blue Cruise. Domuz (Boar) Adası: It is believed that it has taken its name form the wild boars living on that island once upon a time. The island is also called Prince Island referring to a prince living on here. Boats can easily anchor and moor in the cove of the island as it is sheltered from the winds. Hamam Koyu: The Bath Cove is one of the coves that boats and Blue Cruise vessels cannot pass without stopping at. The Blue Cruises and boats love to spend a night here. The daily boat trips generally take a lunch break here. Right next to the quay you will see the ruins of a monastery, which is partly under water. You may enjoy having a pleasant stroll on the coast and in the forest if you get off the boat. There are covered restaurants that serve food along the waterfront. If you feel up to it you can walk up from Yavansu Hill inside the island after half an hour walk, where you can see the ruins of the ancient city of Lydae. To the northwest of Tersane Island, there is Taşyaka Cove, also known as Bedri Rahmi Cove for the picture of a fish painted by the famous Turkish artist and poet Bedri Rahmi Eyüboğlu. Those who are seeking for history can walk into the cove to see the rock tombs up the hills.In this cove there are makeshift restaurants and wooden quays for boats to moor at. Göbün Koyu: Göbün Cove is to the south of Domuz Island. It has a very narrow entrance, and is a long cove surrounded with pine and olive trees. Those who go ashore at the end point of the cove will come across ancient ruins and rock tombs. Even though its not being on the route of the daily trip boats, it is a much loved stopping point for boats and yachts on the Blue Cruise. Kayaköy If you go past Hisarönü and continue on for five kilometres along the road through the pines trees you get to "Hayaletköy" (Ghost Town), more usually known as Kayaköy (Rock Village). Here you will find 3500 old Greek houses on the hillside, sited so as to not to block the views of the another. As the Anatolian Greeks were good farmers they placed their houses not in the valley but on the hills where agriculture was not possible. Kayaköy is a village that was based on this mentality. Up until 1922,approximately 25,000 people used to live here. After the Independence War during the population exchange program following, the Greeks migrated to their homeland. It is known that there had been a Christian settlement in the village since the 13th century. The village was repopulated by people that moved from Western Trace to Turkey as part of the population exchange. However, these people established their houses on the flat land in front of Kayaköy. Now there is a population of 2000 people living in the area, but the old houses above have left into lonely moods with their doors and windows broken. All of the houses are now protected but you will see that this decision was taken a bit too late. In the village, whose old name was Levissi, there were two churches and 14 chapels. The Taksiyarhis church is now derelict, its wooden door on display in the Fethiye Museum. The Panagia Pirgiotis Church (the Church Beneath) is in better condition and has interesting frescoes that are worth seeing. In 1990, a priest from Rhodes and the Muslim Imam Ali from Fethiye held a joint prayer service in the Shrine of Virgin Mary in the name of peace and friendship. The Galata Group, founded by the Chamber of Architecture and students studying architecture, conducted some significant work in the old village. Sectoral organisations such as TÜRSAB (The Association of Turkish Travel Agencies) have given support to the restoration work. The restoration of the two churches continues despite financial problems. Before the population exchange the village was a very lively settlement with two schools, one for girls and one for boys, a doctor and pharmacies and an abundance of shops. In the Greek time the village even had its own paper. The Muslim refuges that came with the population exchange did not like the place much and moved to other locations like Thrace and Manisa. Those Greeks who moved back to Greece were located in a remote wild area near Athens. They made this place prosperous and named it "Neo Makri", in other words New Fethiye. Some of the houses in the lower part of the village have been restored. One of the residents of these restored houses is a photographer from Istanbul who spends half of the year in the village. The other inhabitant is a captain who lives here with a dog and chicken. The project to reverse Kayaköy into a village of "Peace and Friendship" is now being processed by the civil organizations but there is the "Kayaköy Arts Camp", established as a part of the wider project (Tel: 0252 616 65 74). Here students, including foreigners, study the arts of sculpture, ceramics and photography. You can also make pottery in the Pottery House workshop. There are also small gifts and souvenirs on sale and a display of some old tools, to be found in the garden of the Poseidon Restaurant.Climbing up the stone paved road you get to the chapel on the hill and can enjoy a panoramic view overlooking Soğuksu Cove. Even if the weather is very hot elsewhere, on the top of this hill there is a constant breeze that make you feel cool. On you left there is an old house from the village that was restored and converted into a restaurant called Dibektaş. The other restaurant there is the Poseidon, which is family run. You can have food, coffee, tea or alcoholic drinks here. The village women also prepare fresh gözleme (the flat Turkish bread stuffed with a variety of ingredients) on their low wooden tables in the gardens of their houses. The gözleme is made of dark flour and can be stuffed with spinach, cheese, parsley and a mix of local herbs. You can have tea or an ayran (a drink made of yoghurt).One of the restaurants which is now typical with Kayaköy is the Cinbal Restaurant. Cinbal is the oldest restaurant in the area which gives barbecue service in a tranquil atmosphere of a garden full of flowers and fruit trees all year round.A large selection of meals of Turkish Cuisine and the friendly staff can make your lunch or dinner,one of the unforgettables of your holiday. Afkule In Kayaköy there is always a constant breeze and there are no mosquitoes. Following the side path next to the old village, you can get to Ölüdeniz. The road within the forest is seven kilometres through the pine trees and marked by orange points up to Ölüdeniz. Three kilometres to the west (in the Gemile direction), and 400 metres above the sea level, on a hill that slopes into the sea you will see the remains of a monastery. According to the legend, the 10 metres square monastery, known locally as Afkule, was carved into the rock at a cost of a lifetime of suffering by a monk named Ayios Elefeterios. This location has a spectacular view, from which you can see İblis Point, Kurdoğlu Point and, if the weather is fine, even the island of Rhodes. The nearest location where you can swim in the Kayaköy region is Soğuksu (Cold Water) Cove. Its name does not refer to the temperature of sea but possibly to the spring water boiling into the sea. You can walk from the church following the path up the hill and then down to the water, the stroll taking half an hour. Walking to Gemile Cove There is a six kilometres long road linking Kayaköy to Gemile Cove. Those who have cars can take this road to get to Gemile Cove and have a swim. Since the beach is in a sheltered area it is highly popular. Right opposite of the cove is Gemile Island. (You can find necessary information on the Gemile Island in the Fethiye section of boat tours in the vicinity.) How to get there? In summer, minibuses run from Fethiye to Kayaköy regularly from 7:00 am to 22:00 pm and the last return trip from Kayaköy is at 23:00 pm. Other tan the summer times, the minibuses run until 17:00 pm. If you travel with your own car follow the Ölüdeniz road, through Ovacık to get to Hisarönü, the distance being 16 kilometres. There is also a shorter way where you drive from Fethiye to the hill where there are the rock tombs and follow the road below the castle, going over Şıkman Hill. The distance on this route is seven kilometres. Please note, being an open-air museum, you are charged an entrance fee in the entrance to Kayaköy. Where to stay? In Fethiye, Hisarönü or in Ölüdeniz there are all manner of hotels. If you wish you can also stay in pensions in Kayaköy. Kaya Pansion Tel: 252 618 01 59 Le Jardins de Levissi Hotel Tel : 618 01 88 What to eat? In the makeshift restaurants of Kayaköy you can have gözleme, ayran, grill meat and tandır (Turkish type of tandoori meat). If you want you can also have an open-air barbeque, cooking your own meat. Those into barbeques in winter can make use of the closed-in barbeques in the houses. Hisarönü-Ovacık The Hisarönü and Ovacık hamlets are two nice spots inside the pine forests that have only become popular recently. Ovacık is nine kilometres from the town centre and five kilometres to Ölüdeniz. The hamlet has turned into a tourism centre with the construction of numerous hotels and holiday villages. This has made Ovacık an ideal place for those who want to stay away from the crowds in town, while still only being 10 minutes away both from Fethiye and Ölüdeniz. As for Hisarönü, you can get there by taking the road turning right at the end of Ovacık. In Hisarönü there are many small and large hotels, pensions and holiday villages, most with reasonable prices. Furthermore, the famous beaches of Ölüdeniz and Belcekız are nearby and you can go there for a swim. There are regular minibuses running to Hisarönü and Ovacık from Fethiye. Fethiye - Ölüdeniz(Dead Sea) The 14 kilometre road that leads you to Ölüdeniz from Fethiye is surrounded by pine trees. At the end of the winding road all of sudden a wonderful blue comes before you. This is Belcekız Cove. Once you walk over the long beach you see the incomparable Ölüdeniz lying before you. Ölüdeniz is as if it appears to be enchanting and lies still with no movement in its clear waters. There is nothing of the bottom of the lagoon but white sand. The reflection of the water and the sand bottom give it a turquoise colour. On the surface are the reflections of the green pines and this enriches the impression of the turquoise colour. There is a story behind the name of Belcekız Cove. According to legend, ships in ancient times used to anchor in the open sea and the crews would come ashore in small boats to get drinking water here. One of the handsome sons of an old captain was fell in love with a gorgeous girl called Belcekız whom he saw on the waterfront. Belcekız too ended up with her heart beating faster and she fell in love with him. However, the boy had to get the drinking water and return to his father’s ship. Though the ship sailed away, Belcekız watched for her lover to return. Each time the boy came to get water they saw each other and made love. One day, as the boy and father were sailing nearby, a storm blew up. The son told his father that he knew of a cove where they could shelter that was as still as a pool. The old and cunning father thought the son's suggestion came from his desire to see his lover and that he was acting selfishly and did not care whether the ship sank or not. The dispute between the two kept on going as the waves grew higher. As the ship was rocked by the strong wind and was about to crash onto the rocks, the father hit his son with an oar and he fell into the sea. After the father headed back to the helm and continued his voyage, he found himself in an extremely still cove. He understood that his son was right but it was too late. The son died, his body being found on the rocks. Belcekız, seeing that her lover was dead, committed suicide by jumping onto the rocks. From that day on the place she jumped from was named as Belcekız and the place the boy died was named as Ölüdeniz. Maybe the colours of the water that keep changing are fires of mourning, one for the boy and one for the girl. In Ölüdeniz you will find numerous hotels and restaurants. Nine hundred and fifty hectares of land around Ölüdeniz and the beach of Kıdırak have been determined as a place under protection order and turned into National Parks. Construction in the area of the Ölüdeniz lagoon and the Kıdrak Beach is banned and these sites are classified as special protected areas. The Kumburnu rest facilities within this protected zone are run by the office of the Muğla provincial governor, associated with MELSA Ltd. Co. Annually, approximately, 400,000 people make use of these facilities. There is a fee for the entrance. There is one large and one small cafeteria that provides food and beverage services. Besides fast food and drinks there is traditional gözleme available at the Şark (East) end of the area. There is an organised picnic area for those who want to picnic, though lighting a barbeque is forbidden between May and October. It is possible to rent umbrellas and chaise longues. The car parking, toilet and shower services are free. The car park area holds 650 vehicles and is monitored by employees and security cameras. On the beach you have access to aqua sports such as parasailing, water skiing and banana boats for those interested. There is also a handcraft shop that is associated with MELSA. Here you find handcrafts unique to the Muğla region. This extraordinary piece of nature is being fastidiously taken care of and cleaned, with a laboratory set to take measurement of the sea water from parts of Belcekız Beach daily. The aim of this is to get the ISO 14001 Quality Certificate for the beach. In Turkey the first beach to get this certificate was Kıdrak Beach. Paragliding on Babadağ Having a holiday in the dreamland of Ölüdeniz means more than only swimming and lying next to the pool. Thanks to paragliding you can view this wonder of nature from 1975 metres above, before slowly descending. From this height you are not only looking at Patara Beach and Dalaman but also in clear weather you can see the island of Rhodes. There are agencies that organise paragliding with outlets at Ölüdeniz. You have to book a day ahead or in the morning to be able to take off into the air. After a bit of training in the morning, in theory by experienced pilots, you are driven by jeep to the 1,700 metres high point on Babadağ (Father Mountain), your take off point. The road to that point is 25 kilometres long and is tough and rough and the trip up takes 50 minutes. If the wind is not convenient at this level, you move another 200 metres up to summit at 1,900 metres. You put on your full body suit and helmet. Then you sit in the harness that is linked to the parachute and pilot. With the pilot pulling on the parachute it begins to fill, you run for a few steps, rise into the air and you are flying. Once you start gliding in the air you feel an excitement but this is combined with the joy of the enchanting scenery, encompassing St. Nicholas Island, Ölüdeniz, Gemile Cove and Kumburnu. In order to be able to keep this extraordinary experience and the incomparable scene alive forever you should not forget to take along a camera or a video camera. The adventure of flight that goes on with its minor ups and downs last about 30 minutes according to the wind. The experienced pilots can go as high as 3,500 metres and their flying times can last about five hours. Wearing a T-shirt, shorts and sports shoes are recommended. Babadağ and Ölüdeniz have drawn so many paragliders to the area that it is now the venue for a paragliding championship, with the International Air Games staged in Ölüdeniz taking place in October every year. What about safety or risks and dangers? The facilities that teach or provide paragliding services have to have the Tourism Sportive Activities Certificate issued by the Turkish Tourism Ministry. All pilots have to have certificates of flying experience. Up till now, thousands of people have flown. The accounts of accidents are so low as to be almost zero. Kelebekler Vadisi (Butterfly Valley) One of the most striking places in the Fethiye region is Butterfly Valley. On the 8th of February 1995, the site was declared a first degree natural protected area and ant type of construction has been prohibited. The valley is rocky and pine covered and is a bit hard for climbing but it gives you an astonishing feeling to see millions of butterflies covering the trees and rocks like a soft colourful scarf. At first, you do not notice them at all and you think it is the natural look of the place. However, with one sound or movement the butterflies take off, covering the sky and casting a shadow over the valley. By renting or using one of the shared boats that work like water taxis, you can go from Ölüdeniz to Butterfly Valley beach. This is also known as Kötürümsü Cove. In this half an hours trip you can also stop at the Mavi Mağara (the Blue Cave). You can give yourself to the green and blue waters of the cave. There are two paths that lead you to Butterfly Valley and to the foot of the 2,000 metres high Babadağ. One of them goes through a waterfall and the other through the village of Faralya. If you have no trekking or natural sports experience you should not try to climb to the higher parts of the valley and just be satisfied by getting to the first water fall. Those with self confidence and who cannot turn away from the extraordinary call of the valley should continue the trip up and will come across the stunning view we will now describe.But wearing professional trekking clothes or shoes and carrying professional equipments is highly advised. The path that leads up to the village is really steep and there are couple of points where you need to climb up in the path. Do not take this if you don’t have mountaineering experience. However, the view from the village is really wonderful. Follow the signpost that says, "George’s House," and you might get very nice village food with your ayran. There are no accommodation facilities at the Butterfly Valley beach. You can set up a tent or stay in makeshift bush and leaf covered shelters. There is one restaurant set up on the beach in summertime. The owners will help you, showing the paths to follow. Saklıkent (the Hidden City) If one day you get tired of the heat of Fethiye do something different. Go to a very narrow and high canyon that cannot get the sunlight and walk through ice cold water. Go to Saklıkent. Take the Fethiye-Antalya road towards Kemer. After driving for 25 kilometres take the turn to Saklıkent and, once past the sign for Tlos, drive another 10 kilometres to Saklıkent. On the way to Saklıkent you will see lots of restaurants on both sides of the road and you can get a gözleme and ayran After you get to the village of Kayadibi you leave your car at the canyon entrance and pay your entrance fee. The Eşen Stream bursts forth 100 metres inside the canyon. It flows so crazily in summer and winter that it makes it almost impossible to progress against the current. You walk on the wooden footpath attached to the canyon walls. You form a one person line and go to the location where the stream erupts. When you watch the picturesque view of the furiously and loudly flowing stream you can enjoy a gözleme ayran or a trout dish in the restaurant. If you wish to do so you can cross the freezing water and progress towards the deeper part of the canyon. Do not neglect to get a pair of cloth or plastic shoes. However, if you do not have them tourism is at your service, you can buy or rent them in the "Plastic Shoes Sales Shop" at the entrance of the canyon. The canyon is quite long, with the path at times being rough. If you try to walk it all the joy may turn into a burden. It is the best to go for a few hundred metres and return after that. However, if you rely on yourself, on your return throw yourself into the cold waters of the canyon and instead of using the walkway let the current carry you to the end of the canyon. Saklıkent (the Hidden City) If one day you get tired of the heat of Fethiye do something different. Go to a very narrow and high canyon that cannot get the sunlight and walk through ice cold water. Go to Saklıkent. Take the Fethiye-Antalya road towards Kemer. After driving for 25 kilometres take the turn to Saklıkent and, once past the sign for Tlos, drive another 10 kilometres to Saklıkent. On the way to Saklıkent you will see lots of restaurants on both sides of the road and you can get a gözleme and ayran After you get to the village of Kayadibi you leave your car at the canyon entrance and pay your entrance fee. The Eşen Stream bursts forth 100 metres inside the canyon. It flows so crazily in summer and winter that it makes it almost impossible to progress against the current. You walk on the wooden footpath attached to the canyon walls. You form a one person line and go to the location where the stream erupts. When you watch the picturesque view of the furiously and loudly flowing stream you can enjoy a gözleme ayran or a trout dish in the restaurant. If you wish to do so you can cross the freezing water and progress towards the deeper part of the canyon. Do not neglect to get a pair of cloth or plastic shoes. However, if you do not have them tourism is at your service, you can buy or rent them in the "Plastic Shoes Sales Shop" at the entrance of the canyon. The canyon is quite long, with the path at times being rough. If you try to walk it all the joy may turn into a burden. It is the best to go for a few hundred metres and return after that. However, if you rely on yourself, on your return throw yourself into the cold waters of the canyon and instead of using the walkway let the current carry you to the end of the canyon. Canoeing on the Eşen Stream Travel agencies organise canoeing tours on the Eşen Stream that forms the border between Antalya and Muğla provinces. The tour starts at Kınık under the bridge and after canoeing for 15 kilometres it ends at the beaches of Patara. During this exciting trip you get breaks for swimming and eating. The Eşen Stream bursts out from the Köprülü Kanyon (Bridge Canyon). Its waters are cold and very clean. There is no danger entailed in the trip as the stream flows calmly, though there are a few slight bounces, a small slide and counter-currents that make the trip exciting. The agencies that conduct the canoeing tours brief you about using canoes ahead of the trip. You are insured and given life jackets. The trip starts at 11:00 am and last about 6.5 hours. There is also a mud bath break during the trip. You can jump into the mud pool, which does not smell, and get your whole body covered in mud. Do not forget to have your photo taken. However, the only way to get rid of the mud is to jump into the cold water of the Eşen Stream. The constantly changing view around the stream and the vegetation is another side of the trip that amazes you. The travel agencies charge 30 euro per person for the tour, transfer, lunch, guides and canoe equipment. Tlos and Yakapark The ancient city of Tlos is 40 kilometres from Fethiye. After travelling for 22 kilometres on the Fethiye-Antalya road, take the road signposted as Tlos and Saklıkent and travel for another 10 kilometers. The Tlos historical site is eight kilometres from Saklıkent and right next to the village of Yaka. The city is hidden behind an Ottoman castle and the ancient acropolis on the top of a hill. While climbing up to the castle the Lycian rock tombs will grab your attention. The most impressive is the Tomb of Bellerephon, with a fine bas-relief of Pegasus the winged horse fighting against the three-headed monster the Chimera. At the entrance of this tomb that attracts lots of attention there are columns and a three-section wall, in the middle there is a motif of a door carved which leads to the grave. In the flat area below the castle you find the remains of the Lycian walls nine metres thick, the agora (market) that still has six arched doors standing and to the south you have the Roman walls. The remains that are in best condition are the theatre’s. However, the Lycian rock tombs, baths, paleastra and gymnasium are also impressive. Tlos is one of the oldest settlements in the Lycian region. In the Lycian inscription the city name is written as Tlawa and in the Hittites writings from the 14th century BC the areas is referred to as Dlawa in the Lukka region. One tip is to start your visit after having a very foamy ayran in the tea garden right next to the entrance of the historical site. Since you have travelled to the village of Yaka, Yakapark just a kilometre from the village is worth visiting for a break. This is a stopping point for the jeep safaris from Kaş, Kalkan, and Fethiye and is wonderful with its century old trees, terraces, pool, water channels, hammocks and stone tables placed by the management. As the village women cook gözlemes, chickens and roosters pass your feet making the place interesting. The meat gets cooked on the barbeque set up in the centre of the garden and trout dipped in corn flour is fried. Those in the tourism business have to be creative. Here you will see an example of that. There is the Balıklı Bar, which has an animation that you would see nowhere else other than Yakapark. The bar is made of stone and on one side of it there is a small channel where the cold water flows. Inside this channel swim trout, which act like they are used to human beings. They love being touched, caressed and they do not swim away. Meanwhile, the providing of beer, cola and ayran goes on. History Between Fethiye and Kalkan Cadianda Letoon Pınara Sidyma Arsada Xanthos Patara History between Fethiye-Kalkan To the east of Fethiye and around the road of Fethiye-Kalkan there are important ancient cities. You really should see these Lycian cities. Let us begin with a visit to Cadianda on the western side of Fethiye. Later there we will come to Letoon, Pınara, Sidyma, Arsada and ending with Xanthos and Patara. You cannot do it all in one day. If you were to give them one day each choose to see Pınara, Letoon, Xanthos and Patara. Cadianda 20 kilometres from Fethiye to the west, near the Üzümlü district there is the ancient city of Candianda, known as Cadavandi in the Lycian language. The history of the city goes back as far as the 5th century BC, while it was a very lively and rich settlement under the Romans. The city is 600 metres above the sea level and is surrounded by a wall that is made of fine stone. To the south of the entrance there are four Lycian tombs, believed to be from the 4th century BC. Three of the tombs are in the style of a house but are somewhat damaged. The fourth tomb is cut into a block of stone and has a relief of a man lying on a sofa on its south face and a mounted figure attacking an enemy with his spear and shield on the north side. At the northern entrance of the acropolis there are the ruins of what are believed to a part of a Doric style temple and also the remains of a stone carved bath from the Roman period, believed to have been built by the Emperor Vespasianus. On the hill where the city is located, tucked into the slope, is a small theatre. The western part of the seating area is still firm though where the stage was has been completely demolished. In the centre of the city the ruins that cover an area of nine metres in width and 900 metres in length are believed to be those of the stadium. Moreover, there are lots of references made to athleticism tournaments held in the city of Cadianda. In addition, plinths of statues of successful athletes around the supposed stadium area strengthen the theory. Letoon On the Fethiye-Kalkan road, two kilometres before you come to Kınık, there is the signpost for the ancient city of Letoon. It is also 19 kilometres before Kalkan. Letoon is four kilometres further once you take the turn onto the road in the middle of the greenhouses. You can go to the entrance of the historical site by car. The traces of the settlement in the ancient city of Letoon have been dated to the 7th century BC. The ruins and the finds show that this was a political and religious site. Letoon was the joint temple of the Lycian Union. There is a legend recalled by the poet Ovidius, which tells that the Goddess Leto, who was pregnant with twin gods Apollon and Artemis to the God Zeus gave birth to them in Delos. Then she went to the Xanthos River (now the Eşen Stream) and walked all the way to the mouth of the river. The Goddess wanted to wash her children in the mouth of the river but was prevented from doing so by the locals. She got furious at this and, by way of revenge, turned all the locals into frogs. This is why the temple of Leto is sited where the incident is supposed to have taken place. The other two temples in the ancient city were built for Artemis and Apollon. However, today only the bases of all three temples remain. They are lying under the water that keeps seeping up and never seem to disappear. On the top of the columns of the temples frogs and the turtles lie sunbathing. Could they not be the descendants of the people the Goddess Leto turned into frogs? The Lycian city of Letoon was abandoned after the 7th century once it has lost its importance. To the south west of the temples there is a fountain and to the east a Byzantine church. To the north of the archaeological site is a stoa and at the backside of the city, partly leaning against the natural hill, is a Roman theatre, which is in good condition. Do not leave the site if you have the time go to the seaside. Just as in the case of Patara, Letoon suffers from sand-dune problems and, in order to prevent sand getting to the greenhouse areas, the two kilometres deep and eight kilometres long beach of Letoon has been planted with sand acacia and mimosa trees. The tree planting in the area began in the 1960s. Go through the trees and continue on the sand road that takes you to the sea. Letoon is a part of the 18 kilometres long Patara Beach. It has the same characteristics of Patara Beach. However, around it there is not one restaurant, café or pension. Be ready for this if you are going there for a picnic. Pınara After going 45 kilometres on the Fethiye-Eşen road, you turn right, leading you to the village of Minare (Minaret). The people of Minare, as well as pointing out the dusty path leading to the archaeological site of Pınara can also take you up to the ancient city by tractor. Pınara, which meant "round" in the Lycian language, in some inscription is written as Pinale. The city was one of the important ones of the Lycian Union and had the right to three votes alongside the other major cities of Xanthos, Tlos, Patara, Myra and Olympus. The city was renowned for its relations under the satrap Piksodaros and gets a mention in campaign of Alexander the Great in 334-333 BC. The high rock area in the western part must have been the first settlement. In the Roman era the village moved down to lower ground and was situated between the rocks and the hill sloping down. The theatre was built out of town to the north east of the settlement. Visiting the city After you leave your car in the parking area, a tour of city can easily be carried out as follows. To the south west of the security booth, facing the south of the Çınarlı Stream bed are numerous Lycian type tombs. The largest and the most important of all is the one that depicts a city in the relief. This must have been the tomb of a king and in the details of the tomb there is the Hellenistic element of making use of sculpture mixed with the reliefs as well. The most impressive of these is the Gorgons on the reinforcing beams of the eaves. Once you pass under the roof of the structure on the both sides you see views of cities. These show the Lycian cities, the walls, the columned tombs, house tombs, in the background marked by surrounding walls of the palace sitting on high grounds, and houses and figures in empty spaces. The path to the site known as the King Tombs allows gorgeous views. From the street you see buildings on the left and right and go through pine trees and column erected heading to a paved courtyard. This structure, although you cannot see it from the site as the stones are pilled up one atop the other, has heart shaped columns at the corners. A stone relief of a phallic symbol was found here, giving rise to the belief that the structure may have been dedicated to Aphrodite. The tomb to the north of the lower village has a picture of a bull’s horns and is seen as being a unique work. The theatre and the odeon, just out of the city have survived almost intact. However, the heavy vegetation in the area might make the trip to those sites a bit difficult. The tombs located on the high hills to the west are known as the "doves’ nest". These are believed to be the oldest of the Lycian tombs, without the knowledge about the working method of the workers of how they have built these up to the rocky slopes. After Eşen on the Fethiye-Kaş road you take the asphalted road to Bozoluk and get to Letoon. The ancient city of Letoon in fact is a religious site, four kilometres as the crow flies to the ancient city of Xanthos. The Temple of Leto, commemorated to the mother of Artemis and Apollon, was an important religious centre for Lycia. Leto was an Anatolian mother goddess that was Hellenised, with the existing temple being dated to around 300 BC. All of the details of the Ionic style of the temple have remained intact. The small 4th century BC temple to the east of the one dedicated to mother Leto is plainer than the other two and not surrounded by columns. The Hellenistic temple to the east is surrounded with columns and is in the Doric style. The mosaic depicting Artemis with a bow and an arrow and Apollon with his lyre shows the twins of the Goddess Leto. The inscription in the Aramaic, Hellenic and Lycian languages, as well as listing the historical events in the region, also contributed to scholars to decipher the local language. The original inscription is in the Fethiye Museum and the name of Hekatomnos’ son Piksodaros can be read. In the Roman period the temples of Letoon formed a complete entity, with a circular fountain monument built to the west of the temples. In addition, a nice perspective was achieved with the stoa that was built to the north in the Hellenistic era and was developed in the Roman period. It is known that many festivals were staged in Letoon’s theatre, which was carved into the slopes of a hill. The architecture of the vaulted passages that were used to get to the seating area of the theatre is worth seeing. The fact that the theatre did not have a stage can be linked to the fact that sport activities were conducted on the flat area in front of the spectator galleries. As soon as you leave the eastern side of the theatre you see a Lycian tomb with a saddle roof. On the side of the tomb there is a horizontal figure that combined the local artistic styles of the Roman period. The local-transport: To get to what was the ancient capital city of the Lycian region, you take the turn to the left from Kınık off the Fethiye-Kaş road and keep going for one kilometre, bringing you to the ancient city of Pınara. Sidyma Sidyma is near the village of Dodurga, 500 metres above the sea level on the side of the Cragus Mountain. It is not easy to get to. Six kilometres to the south of Eşen on the Fethiye-Xanthos road there is a turn. Take the road and keep going for another six kilometres. After that you have to climb up a steep stabilized path, taking up to an hour. Sidyma gets its name as a result of its history, an evolution from the similar names of other ancient cities as Idyma, Didyma and Loryma. The finds from the site show that the first settlement in this area was in the Early Archaic period. The first written inscriptions found in the area were dated to the 1st century BC. The majority of the remains and all the inscriptions found here come from the Roman period. However, it is thought that a coin believed to be from Sidyma was minted in the 2nd century BC. When you visit Sidyma, you see the first signs of the old city on the path up, these being many tombs carved into the left rock face of the ravines. Although these have a resemblance to the ones in Pınara they are of a more simple design and fewer in number. Once you are up the top the remains of the ancient city of Sidyma lie spread out before your eyes. Right at the end of the path to the left there is the remains of a small monumental tomb. Though only the basis of the tomb survives, there being no burial chamber, it is still significant as it shows that Sidyma existed in the Classical era. Right next to it there are seven more monumental tombs. Some of these, instead of being in the Lycian style, are topped with three cornered stone lids. Arsada The ancient city of Arsada is behind the Xanthos Valley and fairly high up, on a hill that was formerly called Mount Massicytus and now known as Akdağ. The city is on a high plateau on the side of the mountain. It is about 900 metres above the sea level and there are no roads leading to it. It is near the village of Arsa, which can be reached from a steep and long path from the village of Kayadibi. Just to the west of the village is a long low hill. On the eastern side of the hill, where it slopes at a right angel into the valley, there is a wall built of 2.5 metres thick stones. Some 300 metres of the wall is fairly stable. On the northern edge of the wall there is a nine metre square structure that was either a tower or a small castle. This castle, believed to be from the Hellenistic period, is made of carefully placed polygonal stone blocks. There are not much left from the city itself but there are many Lycian type tombs in and around it. Most are in the Gothic raised style but unfortunately these have been destroyed. There is at least one house type tomb and many stones that were carved have inscriptions on them. A bit above the village there is the path leading north and next to it there us a 2.5 metres high rock that has a relief of a man mounted on horse. Xanthos Seventeen kilometres along the Kalkan-Fethiye road there is a road that leads through Kınık following the bank of the Eşen Stream, leading to the ancient city of Xanthos. It is believed the history of Xanthos, the capital of Lycian Union, goes as far back as 1,200 BC. It was written that in those times the Lycians fought in the Trojan War, under the command of an officer from Xanthos. It is said that the people of Xanthos were courageous and great warriors. The historian Herodotus, in reference to war in 545 BC against the invading Persians, wrote, " When the Persian army came onto the Xanthos plain under the rule of their commander, although they were very few in numbers against the unending large numbers of the Persians, the people of Xanthos kept fighting. They gained a reputation for their heroism but they have lost the war against them. They placed all the women, children, treasures and slaves into the castle. Then they set it on fire. Such was the fire that has destroyed everything. It was after that they took a binding oath and began fighting the enemy. All died in the fighting." Although Xanthos was frequently destroyed by fires or wars every time it was rebuilt. The city was destroyed completely in the Roman era by Brutus and but was reconstructed by another Roman commander, Marc Antonius. In the Byzantine era Xanthos was a centre of a bishopric, though it was finally abandoned after a series of Arab attacks. If you go to Xanthos through Kınık the first remains you encounter is a part of the Hellenistic gate on your right. To the left of the road there is an arch dedicated to the Roman emperor Vespasian, a gift in thanks for his great contributions to the city. The ruins you will see a bit further up on your right are what is left of the magnificent Nereids Monument, the most impressive pieces of which were taken to England by ship in 1841-1842. Today these pieces have been restored and the monument is on display in the 7th hall of the British Museum. If you head to the left towards the acropolis past the walls you come to the theatre. After this you will see the Lycian tombs that have become the symbol of Xanthos and the Harpies Monument above the tombs. Since the statues of the monument were taken to England, what you see today are plaster copies of the originals. The original Harpies Monument is also on exhibit in the British Museum. At the Lycian acropolis there are also the remains of the agora and a Byzantine basilica. Once you get to the acropolis take in the view. The hill that overlooks the plain is the site of the ruins of the ancient Lycian palace. On the right of the road in Xanthos and opposite the acropolis there is a Roman acropolis, where you can see a Byzantine basilica, rock tombs, the Pillar Monument and the ruins of a tomb with lion reliefs. Xanthos Inscription: One of the inscriptions from a tablet unearthed at Xanthos was translated by Azra Arat. This symbolises how the Xanthos people devoted themselves to their independence and their endless fight against invaders and looters. "We have made our homes graves; Our homes graves Our homes were destroyed Our graves looted We climbed to the peak of the mountains We entered under the ground We were stuck under the water They came and found us They burned down, destroyed We that for our mothers, Our women, And the sake of our dead people And the sake of our honour Our freedom Have chosen mass deaths instead We the people of this land We have left a fire behind It always burns And will never die Patara On the Fethiye-Kalkan road, just ten kilometres before Kalkan, you take the turn for Patara-Gelemiş, driving for another six kilometres to get to the ancient city of Patara, with the Patara beach another kilometre further along. The ancient city is four kilometres from the entrance of the village of Gelemiş. However, the ruins of Patara begin long before you get to the village. Among the ruins, which are believed to be from the necropolis, there are Lycian type tombs and Roman tomb monuments. Gelemiş is now a popular tourism village. The villagers, who used to be interested in agriculture, are now mostly running pensions, restaurants and shops that sell souvenirs and so forth. Patara was one of the six cities of the Lycian Union, possibly one of the most important of them, and had the right to three votes. In history books it is written that most of the meetings of the Lycian Union were held in Patara. The ancient city was called Pttara in the Lycian language and was known to exist in the 5th century BC. It was among the cities that Alexander the Great laid siege to. According to the legend, the city of Patara was founded by the water nymph Lycia and the God Apollon’s son Patarus. Under Roman rule Patara was also one of the region’s most significant cities. The port of Patara played a major role in the storing and transporting of wheat. The city continued to develop in the Byzantine era and became an important centre for Christianity. It is also believed that Saint Nicholas, modernised as Santa Claus or Father Christmas, was born in Patara. With the silting up of the port, boats had difficulty in entering and Patara lost its importance. The sand that was shifted by the winds not only affected the port but also covered the city. Some of the ruins still peak out from the sand as you pass. Two kilometres after Gelemiş you will come across the most impressive of the remains of the city, a Roman triumphal arch, built at the end of the 1st century AD. Among the other ruins you will see towards the hill are the baths, a Byzantine basilica and a Corinthian style temple. The theatre is on the side of the hill and most of it is covered by sand. On the hill top there is a Temple of Athena. The former port is now a wet land. In order to prevent the sand shifting inland from Patara Beach barriers have been set up. Patara Beach is the longest and most impressive of the beaches in the area. It is 18 kilometres long and up to 300 metres wide. It has fine white sand, the sea is shallow for a long way out and the wind almost never stops, making it great for windsurfing. Patara Beach has been listed as a natural protected area since sea turtles lay their eggs here. There are two restaurants at the entrance area where the parking lot is located. As the sun burns down here and there is no shade around, do not forget to rent an umbrella at the entrance before laying on the beach. Horse riding on the Patara Beach. The Patara Sultan Farm Horse Riding Farm opened up last summer. The farm has seven horses and carries out riding treks on the beach. İlhan Çırpan, the owner of the farm, can organise a two or three hours tour with or without lunch according to requirements. The tours include the channel area, the green valley, sand hills and the seaside. Throughout the trip you get to ride through ancient ruins, forests and valleys. Generally the early hours of the morning are the best time to go riding. Even if you might never have ridden a horse before do not worry, all necessary instructions are given at the farm before the tour starts. On the back of an educated and docile horse you become a master equestrian in a short time. Sultan Han Çiftliği Tel: (242) 843 51 60 Transport Those who come by road from the west can drive through Aydın, Muğla and Köyceğiz. There are buses running from almost all of Turkey’s major cities to Fethiye. If you are flying in, you will land at Dalaman Airport. There are domestic and international flights in both summer and winter to Dalaman. The distance between Dalaman and Fethiye is 55 kilometres. There are regular buses that operate on this route. Internal Transport There are shared minibuses called ‘Dolmuş’ running non-stop between Fethiye and the other places of interest in summer season and also in winter but more infrequent. Between Fethiye and Çalış Beach there are minibuses and small boats running out to Gemile and other islands. What to eat? It is possible to find excellent seafood in places around Fethiye’s centre Municipality Park, the restaurants around the quay and the restaurants on newly constructed seaside road on the way to Calış Beach. Around the area of the Paspatur bazaar area you will find restaurants serving home style foods, kebabs and Turkish pizzas (pide). Those who want to eat fish should go to the fish restaurants along the sea side. For those who want to eat seafood at Ölüdeniz, we recommend the well-designed restaurant, The White Dolphin, on the steep hill on the way to the Kıdrak Beach. In Hisarönü, apart from a limited number of Turkish cuisine, there is the option of döner and kebab dishes. By contrast, Göcek can offer a rich variety of seafood. At the restaurants around the coves of Göcek, though not in town centre, you can have seafood and tandır (a Turkish tandoori like meat dish). On the Fethiye-Göcek road in the İnlice region or on the way to Saklıkent and around ancient city of Tlos you mainly get gözleme and ayran.Nearby Tlos in the Yaka park area you can get gözleme and ayran and also trout served in a natural park atmosphere. Throughout the year the restaurants 60 kilometres down the Fethiye-Antalya road after you pass the Karabel Passage are open. In winter you dine indoors but in summer you can sit in the garden of the restaurant and enjoy your tandır kebab, village chicken, the yoghurt from the high plateaus and village bread served with butter and some types of cheese. After May, if you want to eat trout, sautéed meat, saç börek (Turkish grilled pastry), village bread and yoghurt at a height of 1857 metres you should first go to the hamlet of Seki and then travel for another 12 kilometres along a stabilised road to where the open restaurants under the shade of fruit trees and willow trees are. There is ice cold spring water running next to the restaurant. (See the Fethiye guide section for the restaurants around Fethiye.) Entertainment The Fethiye nights are as crazy as the Bodrum or Marmaris ones. Those who seek music and entertainment choose to stay in the centre of Fethiye, Hisarönü or Ölüdeniz.There are too many places that play music in Göcek as well. The marketplace The Fethiye bazaar is very colourful. On Tuesdays you have the weekly local market set up. You do not get the general disorder you get in other bazaars. The sections for fruit and vegetable stalls, clothing and handcraft are all organized. The Paspatur shopping district is just opposite the building housing the provincial governor’s office. In the bazaar you have everything from fish to vegetables and fruit, hand woven clothes to the art works and clothing. The prices are among the cheapest of all the regular markets. Do not worry if you get hungry, there are many options, from kebabs to home cooked food. The other thing you can do at the bazaar area is to choose and buy your own fish from the fisherman yourselves and made them cooked in the small tiny restaurants while listening to the locals play and sing around. Accommodation The are many small or large hotels, pensions and holiday villages in the centre of Fethiye, at the nearby coves, Çalış Beach, Ovacık, Hisarönü, Ölüdeniz, Kayaköy and Göcek. See the guide section for hotels, holiday villages and pensions. Handcrafts Kayaköy is famous for its carpets. The wool is spun using the traditional methods, coloured with natural dyes and woven by the Kayaköy village women on workbenches locally known as İstar. Rug making is also widespread in the villages of Fethiye. The Seydiler and Eldirek regions are particularly well known for their rugs. The villages of Karaçuha, Esenköy and Gökben are famous for their hair-cloth weaving. The Dastar material made from silk is unique to the villages of Fethiye Üzümlü and İncirköy.In Üzümlü you would see how it is done and from the newly founded cooperation of the village you can buy table cloths ,cloths or house goods wowen from Dastar. Those who go to the villages of Arsa, Bağlıağaç and Dodurga can buy wooden spoons and other tools and chests made from the wood of juniper or cedar trees and turned into works of art in the hands of masters. In Esenköy there is earthen pottery and Günlükbaşı and Yenimahalle have woven baskets. Turkish Bath The historical Turkish bath in the center of Fethiye attracts people of all nationalities. Also the newly built Kaya Hamamı near the main bus station and the hamams of the hotels in and around Fethiye are now on service for all the people of different nations. Diving The coast around Fethiye and Göcek, with its wide range of plant and animal life, is very suitable for diving. The travel agencies that run tours and the companies teaching diving are mostly located in the Fethiye port area. The boats normally leave around 09:00–10:00 am, returning at around 17:00pm. On average, the sites dived upon are about one hour from the port. While you are sailing to your destination for the day, preliminary information about diving is given. With the company of experienced divers diving is done at the depth of three metres. This takes approximately 20 minutes. After a lunch break there is a second dive. At this point you go as deep as five metres and stay underwater for 20 minutes. After the diving finishes you are given certificates. For experienced divers the depth limit is 30 metres and the duration of stay underwater is 45 minutes, with two dives a day. Some of the diving areas are as follows: Dalyan Cove: The cove is like a natural pool and is very suitable for those trying diving for the first time. The depth starts at one metre near the shore and goes down to ten metres. It is possible to see octopus, black bream, sponges and shellfish. Afkule Cave: This cave is loved by experienced divers. It is like a large craved hole and the interior surface is covered with sponges and coral. It is at 40 metres and its width is ten metres. You can come across all types of Mediterranean fish here. Barakuda Reef: This reef that is a home for barracudas and starts at a depth of 14 metres and goes down to 45 metres. Sarıyarlar: This is an ideal diving point both for learners and the experienced diver. The underwater flora and fauna is extraordinarily rich. Here you can come across sea horses that you cannot find in other places. The depth starts shallow and goes down to 30 metres. (These notes were taken from a diving teacher at the Fethiye Divers Delight Travel Agency) Rowing Races The sport of rowing in Fethiye is rapidly developing. There are very good routes for those interested, with calm, clean seas and surrounded by pine forests. On 9-10 February every year the Mediterranean Rowing Cup is held at Karagözler. The races, which were at the national level for the past five years, will become an international event from this year on. Marinas In the centre of Fethiye there is a yacht mooring quay owned by the municipality and run by a private establishment. Fethiye Ece Saray Marina & Resort Tel: 0.252.6125005 In Göcek there are one municipal-owned and three private marinas having a total capacity of 800 yachts. We shall also mention to those who want to own a yacht that there is a very developed yacht building industrial dockyard in the Karagözler region, located between the Fethiye and Letoonia roads. Göcek Municipality Marina Tel: 0 252 645 19 38 This is sited in front of the village center and has two quays of mooring. The marina has the capacity of 60-70 yachts and there is electricity, the water system is connected, and waste is being collected. There are also showers, toilets, telephones and faxing facilities available. Skopea Marina Tel: 0 252 645 17 39 This is the concrete quay to the north of the municipal marina. There is a private garden, swimming pool, bar restaurant, toilets, and fax and telephone facilities. Club Marina Tel: 0 252 645 18 00 This marina is at the western edge of the Göcek coastline in the port of Büngüş (the marina just close to the port which was formerly the Etibank mine loading port) Surrounded by pine trees, there are environmental and social facilities. Its T-shaped quay has a capacity of 120 yachts. You can have your electricity and telephone linked up. There is a car park, bar restaurant, Turkish bath, diesel quay and a guesthouse within the marina services. Port Göcek Marina and Pulling Out Point Tel: 0 252 645 15 20 – 645 13 56 This is located at the port of Göcek where the former chromium mine facilities are. It has a 150 yacht capacity for pulling out (for winter) and a 400 yacht capacity marina. There is the Inn Swissotel, a swimming pool, bar, restaurant, shower-toilets, cafeteria, boutique, and market. Fethiye Municipality Marina Tel: 0 252 614 35 39 In the city center the quay that extends to the west is owned by the Fethiye Municipality and run privately by Ece Saray Marina & Resort. There are showers, a market, ice and diesel pumps. The market and restaurants are very close. There are also many hotels nearby. Walk in nature and the Lycian Road in Fethiye The most popular trekking trail is called the Lycian Road. You can easily walk from the village of Ovacık on the outskirts of Babadağ, following the signposts every 100 metres. The Lycian Road visits the ancient cities of Faralya, Dodurga, Pınara, Letoon, and Xanthos and, if desired, the trip can be extended to include the Lycain cities and mountain villages outside of Fethiye’s boundaries and within those of Kaş and Kemer heading to Antalya. Those interested can get a map of the trail though we recommend you to take part in a tour with a guide. The high plateaus and plateau tours Since the heat of Fethiye can get unbearable in summer some of the locals move to the high plateaus. In recent years to these waves of migration, tourism facilities added more popularity by jeep safaris to these high plateaus. The high plateau of Seki is the best known plateau in the vicinity of Fethiye. The locals of Kemer and its surroundings move to the plateau in summer. The nearby Eren Mountain also attracts attention for its winter sports potential. There are also other high plateaus near Seki, these being the plateaus of Patlangıç, Eldirek, Karaçulha, Çamköy, Esenköy, Gökben, Ceylan, Zorlar, and Atlıdere. The closest plateau to Fethiye is the Koru high plateau that is on the Fethiye-Çameli road and within the borders of Arpacık. The Koru plateau is 15 minutes walk from the Buzaotu district of the village of Koru. As you approach Çameli, if you take the turn to the right from where the fountain is and climb to an altitude of another 100 metres you come to the Kırkpınar high plateau. On the plateau there are many cold water springs and this is why it is named as Forty Springs (Kırkpınar). Winter sports and tourism Parts of the Fethiye region are at an altitude of between 1500 and 3000 metres and is very close to the Taurus mountain range. The most significant of these nearby mountains is The Eren Mountain which is about 100 kilometers from Fethiye. Eighty one kilometres up the Fethiye-Antalya road, after you take the turn for Seki, you turn right from the cross-road at the statue of Apple placed by the Seki Municipality. Go into the village and have a cup of coffee in the village coffee houses. The inhabitants of the village would like a chat and are very hospitable. Do not turn down the offer to try the herbal tea in the village. From Seki take the road to the village of Girdev. After you traveled about two kilometres on this road you will the sign pointing right to Şahin Tepesi (the Falcon Hill). Between May and November it is possible to get all the way up to the 1870 metres high peak by car. In the makeshift restaurants here you get a chance to eat very delicious sautéed meat of tandır, trout and gözleme. However, between December and April the road gets covered with snow at a height of 1500 metres, preventing further progress by vehicle. You will have to leave your car, camp out and gather the energy for a difficult walk up. If you have the suitable equipment for winter sports begin for a four hours long walk before the dawn to the top of Eren Mountain (2677metres). The scenery from the top is impressive. On the north side you can see the bowl-like Girdev Lake that is surrounded with snow, the Antalya Mountains and the Seki plain lying beneath you to the southwest. The Muğla governor has started a project to promote skiing, including the building a cafeteria and a ski lift in the area. If the project is completed in time it will be possible to ski here in 2004. Eren Mountain is a very suitable region for the tour or cross-country skiing (Nordicskii). The Turkish Mountaineering Federation includes it on their annual program. There is a six kilometres trail between the area you camp at and the peak. You should not go up there without a guide. There are no organized tours to the area but you can make use of the sports people in the Fethiye Doğa Sporları Klübü (The Fethiye Natural Sports Club). For detailed information you can ask Tudor Gökay Cağlav, Hüseyin and Gökan İrez through their email addresses. Oil wrestling tournament In the Fethiye region there are the traditional oil wrestling tournaments staged every year. The first ones that come to mind are the ones held at Kadıköy, Seki, Karaçulha and Eldirek. The monumental trees of Fethiye Muğla is very rich in respect to its monumental trees. Why don’t you have a tour that only covers the monumental trees? For those interested here is a list of the monumental trees in the Fethiye region. Tree Type Location Characteristics Ardıç Döğer Village 1000 years old, five metres thick trunk Mastic Tree Hisarönü Hıdır Kuyusu one trunk, eight main branches. Pıynar Ovacık Kırancağıl the diameter of the trunk is five metres and the it is 15-20 metres tall Pıynar Ovacık, Yeniköy the area shaded by the branches of the tree covers 500-600 metres. Oak Ovacık Kırancağıl the trunk of this tree is 3.5 metres in diameter and its height is 20-25 metres Oak Ovacık Kırancağıl this tree’s truck is 4.5 metres in diameter and it is 15-20 metres tall Plane tree Seki, Başpınar the trunk of this tree is 7-8 metres in diameter and its height is 30 metres Plane tree Yaka village, Kızgölü the trunk’s diameter is 4-5 metres and it is 25-20 metres high Plane tree Ballıağaç, Ovakavak this tree has a trunk that is 7-8 metres in diameter and its height is 28-30 metres Plane tree Çalıca, Zincirli Kavak the trunk of this tree is 3.0 metres in diameter and its height is 15-20 metres Plane Tree Kayaköy, Belen the trunk’s diameter is 3.0 metres, height 20 metres Plane Tree Keçiler village the trunk is 3-4 metres around and the height is 15-20 metres Dalyan’s environs From Dalyan, following the road that takes you to the İztuzu coast and the Dalyanağzı beach facilities, if one turns just one kilometre before the beach and heads towards the hills you will sees the Türk Telecom Radar Tower and then Aşı Cove. Most of the road, which winds through pine trees and heads towards the top of the mountain, is paved. At each corner the beauty of the Dalyan delta is spread under your feet. The road heading towards the radar tower is gravel. When you reach the top of the hill an incredible view awaits you. On one side is the delta, channels, the coast and the city of Dalyan, up further the Köyceğiz region and even further are the Sandras Mountains, while to the west beautiful coves meet up with high slopes, and little further on is the coast of Sarıgerme and Babaada. Those who continue further can reach the Aşı Cove, which is much loved by Blue Cruise travellers. At these coves picnicking and swimming in off the beaten track areas is possible. Boat tours and twilight tours Boat tours originating from Dalyan or Aşı and Bakardi Coves in the direction of Dalaman, visit the coves in the Ekincik Gulf and especially Semizce Cove. Also on nights when there is a full moon there are twilight tours staged out of from Dalyan. On tours from Dalyan the channels are visited and tourists come ashore at İztuzu, where they can swim. The tours have lots of music and entertainment. Those wishing to do so can let themselves go into the soft waters of the sea. Datca City Tour Datca in History Datca Environs Daily Boat Tours Coves and Inlets Beaches Ancient Settlemets Knidos The Nude Aphrodite Statue Eski Knidos(Burgaz) The ruins of Port Sarı Datça Guide Datça in history The finds on the Datça Peninsula show that settlement there goes as far back as 2,000 BC. The first known local inhabitants were the Carians, while the peninsula enjoyed its most prosperous times during the Doric era. The Dorians came from Thrace to Greece and from Greece to the peninsula in 1,000 BC. They founded Knidos in the Burgaz region, 1.5 kilometres to the north east of the present centre. Knidos was the centre of the Doric civilisation. In 546 BC, with the Lydian state falling under Persian rule, Knidos also came under Persian control. In the 4th century BC, for commercial reasons, the site of Knidos was moved to the current location on the end of the peninsula where you see the impressive ruins of the city. The Dorians and the Romans built many temples in Knidos, with the city becoming famed for its statutes of Aphrodite. In the late Roman and Early Byzantine eras, the temples were replaced by churches. In the Late Byzantine era the population reached 70,000 but after a series of earthquakes and pirate attacks, the city was abandoned. The population of the peninsula shrank to one thousand. In the 13th century, the settlements on the peninsula were linked to the Turkish Kingdom of Menteşeoğulları. Datça became a part of the Ottoman Empire in the 15th century. In the late Ottoman era Datça was known as Reşadiye, after Sultan Reşad, but was renamed Datça after the Turkish Republic was founded. In 1928, Datça became a township, with the first central district called Reşadiye and in 1947 it was moved to its current centre near the quay. The Datça Region If you are holidaying in Datça do not forgo visiting sites around the town. There are of course the wonderful sand beaches and sun but there is also more than that. Minibuses run from Datça to nearby coves and the ancient city of Knidos, or you can reach these destinations by driving yourself or taking a shared boat. If you do not have your own vehicle we advise you to take one of the daily boat trips. There is plenty of fish in the waters of Datça. You will find very suitable rocks from which to cast a fishing line. The Datça coves are also ideal for those interested in wind surfing or for diving and the effort is repaid when you see the riches beneath the sea. If you have a Datça guide with you can get to the Datça Hurması (Date Tree) after a difficult trip over the valleys and hills. These trees are of a species 65 million years old. You can go to one of the least occupied parts of the peninsula. But do not try to find it on your own as you will have little chance and there are wild animals such as bear and boar that can be dangerous. Kızlan Village If you want to see the typical windmills of the region, you should go to the village of Kızlan, eight kilometres from Datça. The region is the windiest part of the peninsula, hence the many windmills Gebekum To get to Gebekum Beach, turn off the road from Datça to Yeldeğirmeni once you see the signpost for Perili Köşk and follow the dirt road for one kilometre. The road leads you to the beach. The seven kilometres long beach of Gebekum is suitable for swimming. With the help of the wind the sandy beach increases and expends. The moving sand has resulted in the area having shallow waters a long way out in to the sea, allowing you to be able to walk to the island opposite. The Perili Köşk Hotel at Gebekum provides good accommodation facilities, with services provided to yachting tourists. There is equipment for diving and wind surfing available as the hotel caters to those interested in aqua sports. There are fishing boats in the area in the season. There is good fish in the area but no other fish restaurant other than that at the hotel. The Beaches As we said before, along the shores of Datça you will find 13 kilometres of beaches and sand. The closest beaches to the centre are those of Hatanealtı, Kumluk, Taşlık and Azganlı. In the13 kilometres up to the Perili Köşk Hotel towards Marmaris you can swim anywhere. Those who wish can make use of the aqua sport activities catered to by the hotel. Some parts of the beach have been given the Blue Flag certificate for cleanliness. The Aktur Holiday Complex, Aktur Camping and the Karaincir and Hastanealtı beaches have been awarded Blue Flags for their quality and the standard of their facilities. Knidos, the city of the famous Knidos used to be a most advanced city in terms of science, architecture and arts. The famous astrologist and mathematician Eudoksus, the physician Euryphon, the famed artist Polygnotos and Sotratos who built the Lighthouse of Alexandria - one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world - all lived here. The students of Euryphon founded the second most famous medicine school of their time in Knidos. The sundial was developed by Eudoksus a great inventor of his time and at the historic site you can still see the sundial he invented. Knidos The ancient city of Knidos has the most impressive ruins on the peninsula. You should definitely take the opportunity to see them. Knidos was first built in the Burgaz region on the top of Dalacak Burnu (Point) to the north east of what is now Datça. Later, the city was moved to the top of Tekir Point on the western part of the peninsula. If you are going to Knidos by land you drive from Datça on the road to Marmaris, taking the left onto the road marked for Knidos and travel another 33 kilometres, even though the sign says 35 kilometres. The road was has been upgraded and paved all the way to the historic site. You have to leave your car and walk after reaching the entrance to the ancient city. On the way you will see many almond trees, the people of Datça being very proud of their plantations, saying the best almonds in the country grow in Datça. We give ten out of ten to the fresh almond (çağla) that are picked in February but we also had the chance to taste them in April. In Datça they make a type of dessert you see nowhere else by stuffing almonds into figs and baking it. Try it. After the turn the walls of Knidos partly accompany you, following the route of the path. At the entrance there is the museum and the lodging facilities for staff. You are now at the furthest point of the peninsula and there are two separate coves on the south and north. If one side get the winds the other is calm. It is hard to tell where the Aegean ends and the Mediterranean begins but the view from point where Knidos was founded can show you where the two seas meet at the Datça Peninsula. There is an information board, in English, which will help you to visit the site. The historian Strabon drew a parallel between the city and a theatre, comparing it to an amphitheatre that rose up to towards the acropolis. The private buildings are on the part of the peninsula that divides the inner and outer ports, with the hills slightly rising over the inner port towards the acropolis. There are four main streets, 10 metres in width, running in an east to west direction that cross the flat area of the city, though the streets running north to south and up hill are either steep or include stairs. The city was surrounded with defensive walls four kilometres long. Knidos covers a large area between the military port, the acropolis and the southern commercial port. The peninsula known as Deveburnu used to be an island in the past. By linking it to the mainland artificial ports were created on both sides. On the reclaimed area a channel was opened to provide a passage. The northern port used to belong to the armed services and had two round control towers and was closed off by chains at its entrance. The control tower in the south is still standing. The inner port to the south was larger and used to receive merchant ships. Knidos had two theatres, one with the capacity to seat 20,000 people and the other 5,000. The smaller one is to the south near of the inner port and the larger one was on the top acropolis, though little trace of it remains since its marble and stones were removed in the 19th century. The most beautiful part of the ancient city ruins is the Temple of Aphrodite that overlooks both ports. The circular temple has a diameter of 17 metres. The statue of the Goddess Aphrodite was in the centre and the doors of the temple opened towards the statue. Now you can only see the bottom plinth of the statue. One of the interesting points of a visit to this ancient site is the sundial, which also measured the seasons. On the top of the hill there is the temple of Apollon where the city rises like a theatre. The Corinthian style temple right above the theatre was built by architect Stratos. On the terrace in the middle of the road leading to the Temple of Apollon there was once a Doric temple that was later converted to an early Christian church. Today, you can still see the colourful mosaic floors of the churches. The excavations that were started in 1996 in Stao have so far uncovered one third of the of 3rd century BC building constructed by the famous architect Sostratos. The stoa is 113 metres long, 16 metres wide and has rooms of 5x3.80 metres inside. All of the rooms used to open up to the south. The finds from the excavations are on display in the small museum. The nude statue of Aphrodite Knidos was once famed for its nude statue of the Goddess Aphrodite, carved by the artist Praktiteles. It was so beautiful that people from other cities used to come to see it. Up until then, while statues of gods made nude, those of goddesses were usually carved so as to depict them partly covered, exposing one breast and the neck. Praktiteles’ Aphrodite was the first nude statue of a goddess in the world. Even when Knidos went though financial hardships the people refuse the offer of a large sum of money from the King of Bithynia for the statue and preferred to keep their Aphrodite and stay in poverty. This statue has never been found but its plinth is still here. Between the years 1966-1977, the Americans conducted some excavations in order to find the statue. However, such activities were later banned by Turkish authorities, though new excavations have begun under the leadership of Professor Ramazan Özgen. Transport-food and drink In the historical site there is a restaurant that provides services in summer. If you do not go to Knidos with your own vehicles choose to get there by boat. The shared boats run a return trip from Datça to the site. In addition, minibuses run to within seven kilometres of the historical site. For more details on the ancient city of Knidos see the book, Ancient Cities of Turkey, one of series of by the Gezi Publication books. Eski Knidos(Burgaz) Knidos was first founded in the Burgaz region of the Dalacak Burnu (Point) 1.5 kilometres north east of modern Datça by the Dorians. It was the centre of the other six cities founded by the Dorians (these were Halicarnassos in Bodrum, in İstanköy-Kos, Ialisos on Rhodes, Kamiros and Lindos). It was in the 7th century BC that the city developed and became crowded. At first it was able to resist the attacks of the Persians but was forced to surrender in the end. The city of Knidos was once the site for the Dorian festival of science, religion and sports for the six city Dorian state. After the city of Knidos was moved to Tekir Burnu (Point) the original settlement was not completely abandoned. It existed under the name of Stadia and later became Datça. The historic site of Buragz is on a small peninsula 12 metres above sea level. As you wander you will see pieces of broken pottery around. Excavations are still continuing at the historic site. The ancient city was highly advance in vineyard keeping, wine making and olive production and its wines were in demand all throughout the region. The ancient city is known to have had many wine production and storing sites. Some of the ruins belong to these buildings. TRANSPORT: You can get to Datça by road via Marmaris. The distance from Marmaris to Datça is 78 kilometres. The road is asphalted but narrow and winding. From Marmaris there are regular minibuses and buses that run to Datça. The distance between Datça and the Dalaman Airport is 178 kilometres. In summer there are private ferryboats running between Datça and Bodrum. (For further information contact the Bodrum Ferryboat Association Tel: 0252 313 02–05 and Knidos Tour, Datça Tel: 0252 712 24 63.) Handcraft and marketplace The most precious handcraft of Datça is the special lace edgings made for headscarves and scarves. The special edging is made of silk and is created by women working from home. From the special thread hand made motives are worked by needle. You can buy these wonderful pieces in the market set up on Saturdays, in boutiques and souvenir shops as well as obtaining them directly from houses there or five kilometres from the centre. Rug making in the village of Sındı is popular and supported by courses conducted by the office of the governor. The school building in the old Datça district, built in 1940, was restored by the office of the governor and turned into a handcraft centre. The rugs, material and trims made in the centre by Datça women are sold in the region’s marketplaces. Aqua sports and diving centre You can wind surf if you go to Gebekum or Perili Köşk. At Perili Köşk you will also have the opportunity to sail-board. One the diving centres of Datça is in the town centre and the other at Datça Aktur. Those who want to dive can try one either one. Apart from these you can also enjoy the aqua sport activities in the Özbel region. Bar-Entertainment Canlı müzik dinlemek isteyenler yat limanına bakan Gitanes, Nabis, Bistro ve Yeşim Bar’larda canlı müzik keyfine varabilirler. Food-Drinks Among the traditional dishes of Datça are keşkek (a type of wheat and mince meat dish), yaprak dolma (stuffed vine leaves) and kısır (tabuoli) which are always to be found at weddings. Also in Datça herbal teas are made from many different local herbs such as nettles. And a must try dessert is the famous dessert of figs stuffed with almonds. The Datça Almond (Badem) The best and most delicious almonds in Turkey are grown in Datça. There are many types, with names such as "holy", "white" and "row". But the best quality almond is the nurlu (holy light) and the easiest one to break and eat is called dişli (with teeth). Almonds are also eaten when still fresh and green, this type is called çağla. The season for this is in February and April. In addition, there are sellers who offer almonds either on the streets or in bars, displaying their wares on a tray covered in ice. The almonds collected in May-August and left to dry are called kuru badem (dry almonds). As a dessert Datça locals stuff one or two almonds into figs and bake them in an oven. They call it bademli incir (fig with almond) and they also sell jars of the stuff, preserved in honey. Events and Festivals The Nature and Friendship Walk: Between April 15 to 22 the Environment and Tourism Association organise a walk from the Mediterranean to Aegean. Hundreds of Datça locals and foreigners take part in this walk. Datça-Knidos Badem (Almond) Festival: As its almonds are famous how could there not be an almond festival in Datça? This event is organised by the municipality in the second week of August. Every year the famous Turkish poet Can Yücel, who was buried in Datça, is commemorated, while in June there is the Reşadiye Keşkek Festival, the Painting Festival in the last week of April and the Rice with Almonds Day is celebrated during Tourism Week in April. Tours Around and About There are daily tours either by boat or road to the ancient city of Knidos or the coves in the area. You can obtain information from travel agencies on these trips. Accommodation See the Muğla Practical Guide for hotels, pensions and holiday villages in Datça. Shores with blue flag Aktur Holiday Village Beach Aktur Camping Beach Karaincir Beach Hastane Altı Beach Billurkent Holiday Village Beach Periliköşk Beach Snails We have told you that you would see many interesting things in Datça. One of these is the local dish called karavilla (snails), which is only cooked a few times a year for healing purposes. The snail season starts in March with the snails coming out of the soil and moving up to eat the leaves of plants until the fall of "the rains". The dish is believed to be good for preventing piles and also healing the ailment. Köyceğiz Köyceğiz in History Town Tour Lake Köyceğiz Mud Bath and Kaunos Tour Ekincik Sığla Trees Sultaniye Spa Nature Tours Around Köyceğiz Mountains and Pleteaus Köyceğiz Guide Köyceğiz in History KÖYCEĞİZ While you travel to Köyceğiz, located on the edge of Lake Köyceğiz, via the Muğla-Fethiye road it is as if you are destined to get to a waterside town but somewhere inland. And then all of a sudden you see the lake in front of you and are surprised. The population of the town and its surrounding region does not even add up to ten thousand but it has a rich historical heritage. If you want to see it all: the sea, the beautiful sand beaches, a very beautiful lake, natural and historical riches the address you are destined for is Köyceğiz. Köyceğiz in history Settlement in this beautiful region began thousands of years ago. The first traces of civilisation go back to 3,400 BC. This was followed by settlement of this territory by the İskits, Assyrians, Ionians, Dorians, Persians, Greeks, Seluecids, Romans, Menteşeoğulları and Ottomans. The ancient city of Kaunos, situated in the edge of the lake, was one of the most important port cities at the intersection of the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas around1000 BC. The modern day Köyceğiz began life during the Ottoman era. The Town Tour The town centre, positioned on the banks of the lake, has a different character than other holiday resorts. The population of the town in summer and winter has a balanced nature. In comparison to other holiday destinations it does not get crowded in the summer months and thin out in winter. For those who seek a quite and comfortable holiday it is a destination you can go to in any season. If you feel full of energy then go and walk around the lake in the morning. The lakeside is designed for walking and has a trail around it. You can also have your breakfast in one of the tea gardens that face the lake. Those who want to can cool down in the waters of the lake in summer time. Although the water might not look bright, it is clean and anyway it is a lake. To the east of the walking trail there is a beach run by the municipality behind which there is the endemic Sığla tree forest (a type of mastic tree used also in incense making). Within the facilities of the beach area there is food and drink outlets, changing cabins and showers. You can almost say that the town centre of Köyceğiz consists of clean and regular streets opening up to a central point. The centre is lively almost every night. When the evening settles in life begins in the restaurants and bars on the waterfront or on streets opening onto the centre. Tables are placed on the streets by the small workingman’s restaurants and meyhanes. Despite their makeshift appearance, they serve good starters, all types of meat dishes, chicken and of course fish. The prices here are always cheaper than those of other holiday r Lake Köyceğiz The lake is fed by the plentiful waters of the seven arms of a stream that flows down from the mountains. This is why it does not change either in summer or winter. It empties its excess water through a narrow 10 kilometre long channel, the Dalyan Strait, into the Mediterranean Sea. If you do not have a detailed map of the region with you while you wander you can get confused over which side is water and which side is sea. The best clue you have are the reeds of the lake. The area covered by the Dalyan Strait and the lake is 6,300 hectares. On the edge of the strait there is a lagoon called Lake Sülüngür which holds a mixture of sweet and salty water. This lake is where the sea bass their lay eggs. The coast bordering the sea varies in width from between 50 to 200 metres and it has a beautiful 5.5 kilometre long beach. (See the İstuzu Beach section.) The lake has been almost completely cut off from the sea by the sediment carried down by the water. However, there is still a channel that links the lake to the sea, allowing water to run off. The delta was formed by sediment brought by the Nam Nam and Yuvarlak. Streams Those interested in photography and aqua sports will find it quite difficult to leave here as the lake area gives you such wonderful scenery. And even if you area not into sports such as surfing, sailing, rowing do not stay away from the lake. You can go on small boat trips in the evening or late at night and sing to the lonely night and the stars. If you have an interest in fishing do not forget to pack your rod and tackle as the lake offers a chance even to amateur fisherman and you will not return empty handed. A trip around the lake, either on foot or by car, is very pleasant too. A boat trip on the lake is also very interesting. The small island in the lake is locally known as Hapishane Adası (Prison Island). In the past the island was used for military purposes and then had a prison built on it. You can also see the remains of a Genovese castle on the island. Another name given to the island is Aşıklar Adası (Lovers Island). According to a legend, two lovers, when their request to marry was refused by their families, sought refuge on this island. They got away from the pressures of the families but could not escape their destiny. They were bitten by a large snake and both died right there. This is just one of the many island and snake stories which feature in Anatolia folklore. In the true meaning of the word, Köyceğiz means "heaven of water". The sea, the lake, the rivers feeding the lake, the channels connecting it to the sea all reinforce this. Indeed, wherever you dig in town, even just a few metres down, you can strike very clean water. Thus the town is very suitable for agriculture as well. The plantations that are irrigated by the underground water do not dry out, even in the hottest of summers. The region is surrounded by mountains and blanketed by forests of Sığla and pine trees as can be found nowhere else in the world. The mud bath and a tour to Kaunos The ancient city of Kaunos, the mud baths at the side of the Dalyan channels and, even though the famed Kings Tombs of Kaunos are opposite in Dalyan, all are within the borders of Köyceğiz. One side of the channel is Köyceğiz and the other is Ortaca. In the travel book the details on the mud bath and Kaunos are also covered in the Dalyan section. In order to get to the mud baths and the ancient city of Kaunos you can either take a daily boat cruise leaving from Köyceğiz or travel by road by going to Ekincik and then following the road that winds around the lake from Sultaniye. The ancient city of Kaunos You can also go to Kaunos by boats leaving from Dalyan. From the wharf near the ruins reachable from Dalyan by boat it is just a 10 minutes walk to the remains of the ancient city of Kaunos. Those coming by yachts can drop anchor around Delikli Ada and go ashore by small boat. Kaunos was a significant trading port, though it lost its strategic importance as the alluvial sands filled the harbour. According to the father of history, Heredotos, the people of Kaunos were natives of Caria who considered themselves to be Cretans. The ancient geographer Strabon writes that Kaunos had ship building yards and a port that could be closed and opened according to need. Miletos’s son Kaunos, exiled for having had an illicit relationship with his twin sister, founded the city. The rock tombs that can be seen from as far away as Dalyan were built in 4 BC and were also used during the Roman period later. In Lycian type tombs the dead were placed on rock beds. Surrounding the tomb are two Ionic columns, which have a relief and pediment. On one of the pediments is an ornament depicting lions. The port of the city was what is now Lake Sülüklü down from the acropolis. In those times the sea reached as far as the Kaunos acropolis. When the Persians captured Anatolia the city came under the control of Mausolos. After Alexander the Great defeated the Persians in 334 BC the city was ruled by Princess Ada, then Antigonos and later Ptolemy. It was successively part of the Kingdoms of Rhodes, Bergama and then the Roman Empire. Kaunos lost its importance after its harbour was silted up. The acropolis was set on a hill at a height of 152 metres. The city walls to the north are a remnant from the Middle Ages. The long city walls start from north of the harbour and go on till the steep cliffs past the village of Dalyan. The northern part of the city walls were constructed during the time of Mausolos while the walls to the north west were constructed during the Hellenistic era. Those towards the harbour are from the Archaic era. The city’s theatre is at the foot of the acropolis. It has 33 rows of seats. The remains of a building to the west of the theatre are of a basilica type church. The others are of a Roman bath and a temple. Further below is an incomplete circle construction with fluted columns and behind this is a podium with three steps. Here the remains of the temple can be seen. The nature of the circle shape structure is unknown. A stoa was unearthed during excavations to the north of the old port of Lake Sülüklü. Many statue pedestals were found around it but the statues were not recovered. The fountain near the stoa has been restored. To see the city walls and the towers a long tour of discovery should be carried out. Those who wish can visit the old port area of Kaunos that is now Lake Sülüklü Lake by boat or go to the nearby village of Çandır. On the quay of the village of Çandır there is always a line of cruising boats. These boats provide services to the yachts that come to İstuzu Beach. They will take passengers of the yacht to Dalyan and the mud baths. When you get to the quay the large big holes carved into the stone hills will catch your attention. These use to serve as a form of lighthouse as giant fires was kept burning in these holes at night to guide the ships that were coming to the port of Kaunos. The mud baths In the area of the Dalyan channels and Lake Köyceğiz thermal waters spring up at many places. The hot sulphurous waters are credited with healing rheumatic and skin diseases as well as other cases. However, the Sultaniye thermal waters, just 15 minutes from the town centre, have developed differently and became a tourist attraction. The mud bath, where generally foreign tourist get undressed, get into the mud and have their photos taken, is always colourful and crowded but gives a good photo opportunity. You can immortalise this moment by posing for the camera before and after getting into the mud, which is supposed to have a beautifying effect on the skin but has also won a reputation engendering a sense of fun. Apart from the endangered Caretta Carettas sea turtles there are also Nile sea turtles (Trionyx Tringulus), not as well known as the Caretta Carettas, that live near the lake area of the channels. Ekincik One of the main stopping points for the boats that cruise along coves between Marmaris and Göcek is Ekincik Cove. After the area was linked to Köyceğiz by a asphalted road the crowds started to arrive. The beach and the area around the quay are getting filled with small and large hotels and pensions. If you want to go there from Köyceğiz by car you follow the road to the village of Hamitköy, having a wonderfully scenic view of the lake while travelling. After you leave Hamitköy, you crossed a bridge and climb the first hill. Here give yourself a break to look at the view. If the stillness of Kersele Cove makes you think of getting there early in the morning and having breakfast, why not do it? Once you stop opposite Hapishane Island take a careful look at the pines trees, you will see that they are going white like an group of old men. However, the reason of this whitening isn’t age, it is bird droppings. These birds aren’t some common small species you might know, they are eagles that have picked this area as their home in Turkey. There are only four places in the world that have these types of eagles. If you have the patience to wait you can go to see one gliding down towards the lake. If you make a turn to the left when you leave Lake Yol, the road takes you to the Sultaniye Thermal Waters. If you keep going you will leave the lake region and enter the forest area. The road here starts to climb and in the background the scenic Köyceğiz Lake starts to appear and disappear around the bends. Once you start travelling down this hill you encounter the furious beauty of Ekincik Cove. First you go through the beautiful village of Ekincik, surrounded by green. And then you get into the cove itself, which is extremely clean and that has not been suffocated by heavy building, though there are signs that this may not last. You are surrounded by forests while in front of you there is the beach and the sea. The beach is very beautiful and the water very clean. The beach is divided by the course of a small stream. The owners of the facilities here are not happy about the stream, which with the winter rains and flooding washes away much of the beach, we believe it adds to the character of the beach. In the area where the road meets the beach there is a quay where yachts can moor and a small buffet to meet the needs of visitors. The quay is also the place where the boats doing the daily Dalyan tour moor. In the beach area there hotels and restaurants. The best restaurant in the region is the Marina Yacht Club, which can only be reached by sea. You will usually find Blue Cruise yachts or boats moored here. For those who want to camp out in tents or caravans there are the Ekinoks Camp and the Municipality Camp grounds. Here are some of our suggestions for those who stay at Ekincik Cove for trips to the region. Take one of the boats of the Ekincik Co-operative going to Dalyan’s İstuzu Beach, the ancient city of Kaunos and the mud baths. They leave in morning and return in the evening. Another alternative for those who trust their stamina is to walk from Ekincik to the ancient city of Kaunos through the village of Çandır. In order to find the path either get a guide from Çandır or make sure that you have fully got the details for the path. Do not forget to drink a cup of tea with Muammer in Çandır. Transport Those who want to fly will have to use the Dalaman Airport, which is 32 kilometres from Köyceğiz. If coming by land, follow the Muğla to Fethiye road. Those arriving at Gökova from Muğla should take the road to Fethiye before they leave Marmaris. After you travel for 30 kilometres all of a sudden you see Lake Köyceğiz. Köyceğiz is one kilometre off from the main road and on the shore of the lake. Those who want to go to Ekincik can get there via a road in good condition with a trip of 20 kilometres that has scenic views. You can also get minibuses from Köyceğiz to Ekincik. The Tourism Information Bureau Köyceğiz Atatürk Kordonu Tel: 262 47 03 Accommodation Facilities There are beautiful hotels and pensions on the shore of the lake and in the town centre of Köyceğiz. There are also excellent hotels at Ekincik Cove. (See the guide section for hotel details.) Food and Drink The small business restaurants in the town centre of Köyceğiz are good to dine at. You can find all types of vegetables and meat, fish and entrees served here. There are also restaurants located on the lake’s shore. Fish is plentiful in any season. In Ekincik the My Marina restaurant is a good one that is preferred by boat passengers. You can get all types of fish here. At the entrance of the cove there are new facilities that are opening up. There are good restaurants serving sautéed meat dishes, trout and gözleme by the side of the Yuvarlak Stream, on the Ağla high plateau and the Kazancı picnic area.(See the guide section for the restaurants.) Sportive and cultural activities Köyceğiz University International Beach Handball Tournament: This tournament, which has become an international event, is held between 12-15 July, organised by the University Sports Federation and the Köyceğiz Municipality. This year will be the sixth tournament staged here and among the beach handball tournaments in Europe it is the one that attracts highest numbers of participants. Beach Volleyball: This year will the second time this national event has been held. Köyceğiz Film Festival: This year will be the second time the Köyceğiz-Kaunos Altın Aslan Film Festival (Golden Lion Film Festival) has been staged, with the event scheduled for 18-22 August. Short films, documentaries and Turkish movies on the market are being aired. Mahya Çiçekbaba Festival: The "Festival of Mahya and Çiçekbaba" is held at the Lake Kartal every year on the third Thursday of August. Sheep and goats are cut up and roasted, traditional folkloric dances are staged along with other activities.